MANILA, Philippines – Google, Visa, and the FinTech Alliance announced on Tuesday, November 18, that Google Wallet and Google Pay have launched in the Philippines.
These Google services are now available through seven partner issuers: Chinabank, EastWest Bank, GoTyme Bank, Maya Bank, RCBC, UnionBank, and Wise.
These services will allow cardholders of the participating banks to add their cards to Google Wallet and pay using their Android phones or Wear OS devices if contactless payments are accepted.
Meanwhile, payment cards from Google Wallet can be used to pay online or in-app at participating merchants, wherever you see the Google Pay button.
Additionally, travelers can add boarding passes from Philippine Airlines and other airlines to Google Wallet. With their boarding passes in Google Wallet, travelers will be notified of changes to departure time and gate changes to ensure a hassle-free experience at the airport. They will also be able to tap and pay securely using Google Wallet during overseas travels, without the need for a physical card, so long as contactless payments are accepted.
Google Wallet also allows users to store event tickets, cinema tickets, loyalty cards, digital vouchers, and digital car keys for supported automobiles.
Google wallet is now available in the Philippines via the Google Play Store. Additionally, users can control and manage their information, by updating their settings from the Google Wallet app or on their computer at myactivity.google.com/product/wallet.
What does Google Pay support at present?
VISA and Mastercard Cardholders of ChinaBank, East West Bank, RCBC Bank, and Zed will be able to add their cards to Google Wallet, while VISA cardholders of GoTyme, Maya, UnionBank, and Wise will also be able do the same. On the flipside, Mastercard card holders of GCash and Zed can also add their cards to Google Wallet.
Supported types of information that can be added include boarding passes from Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Jetstar, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and Thai Airways, alongside flight bookings from Trip.com, event tickets booked through Ticket2me and Ticketnet, IKEA loyalty cards and Mang Inasal vouchers.
Google Wallet also supports Tap and Pay at MRT-3 in Manila and on modern jeepneys in Cebu and Mandaue City as well as wherever VISA or Mastercard is accepted. Bus tickets through Easybook are also supported. In the future, ticket purchases through the Beep App to travel on buses and trains in Manila will also be supported.
Meanwhile, users can check out with Google Pay when making online purchases on Shopee, and with merchants supported by Payment Service Providers such PesoPay, and Payermax. Purchase support on Sephora is coming soon, alongside support for 2c2p, Paymongo, Payrex, and Maya.
Answering the payment problem
According to Visa’s research, 97% of travelers across the Asia Pacific region say they will bring credit, debit, or prepaid cards on their trips, while only 17% intend to bring foreign currency. In the Philippines, 44% of tourists report encountering various payment problems, including non-acceptance by merchants.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) latest data, digital retail payments now account for 57.4% of total transaction volume in the country, exceeding the 2024 target under the Philippine Development Plan, and is on track to meet the 70% target by 2028.
Statements of support
Jeffrey Navarro, Visa’s country manager for the Philippines, said of the launch, “Google Pay amplifies the benefits of Visa for consumers, businesses, and our banking partners. As a trusted payment solution used worldwide, it is now available in the Philippines, bringing speed and security to every transaction. Each payment is protected by Visa’s network token – a unique, one-time digital code that can help prevent fraud while ensuring a seamless experience. By extending this secure, convenient way to pay across shops, public transport, and tourist destinations, we make it easier for visitors to spend, empower local merchants to embrace digital payments, and support the Philippines’ vision of a cash-lite economy, driving stronger tourism and greater financial inclusion.”
Prep Palacios, country manager for Google Philippines, had this to say: “Whether it’s the quick ‘tap-and-pay’ for your favorite restaurant, booking a trip across the islands, or shopping online, Google Wallet keeps your essentials protected and always at your fingertips. This launch underscores our enduring commitment to accelerating financial inclusion and fueling the next chapter of the Philippines’ dynamic digital economy.”
Lito Villanueva, founding chairman of FinTech Alliance PH and RCBC cxecutive vice president & chief innovation and inclusion officer, said, “This collaboration with Google Wallet alongside the BSP and the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) demonstrates how strong public-private partnerships can expand access, enhance trust, and deliver world-class digital payment experiences for every Filipino from urban centers to the countryside.”
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda added, “The launch of Google Wallet aligns perfectly with our digitalization agenda. Secure and interoperable digital payment solutions like this bring government, commerce, and citizens closer together, ensuring no Filipino is left behind in the digital economy.” – Rappler.com